The Beat goes on for Felly in Phoenix

Former hip-hop artist turned indie singer/songwriter Felly has found a way to meld his old music style with the new. It’s a delicate balance, but to Felly it’s all within the fabric of music, a weave so old it might transcend time itself. Who knows when the very first musical beat dropped? Was it the Big Bang? The sound of thunder? Perhaps the thump of an early Homo sapien who banged one stone against another.

It’s a hypothetical question, one which even Felly can’t answer, but he’s constantly seeking them out. That journey has turned into four studio albums, several mixtapes, and a long list of singles.

The 30-year-old is seemingly adept at hearing something in his head and making it real, putting lyrics to it, then making it a record. That’s not arrogance since not all of his songs are hits, but in today’s world, where a TikTok meme can possibly generate a future Grammy nomination, it’s definitely special.

Felly is coming to Phoenix on Oct. 17, playing at the famous Crescent Ballroom, a place he’s been to before and holds a special place in his heart. He is currently on tour celebrating the release of his latest album, “Ambroxyde.”

He spoke to Phoenix New Times via an email interview ahead of his visit and opened up about his ever-changing style, where he gets his inspiration, and a life-changing collaboration with the legendary Carlos Santana.

Phoenix New Times: What got you started in music making? Who were your inspirations?
Felly: I got a lot of my influences from having older siblings and just plugging in my iPod to their iTunes. Bob Dylan, Rage against the machine, Lil Wayne, taking back Sunday, Bob Marley, Dave Matthews band. An all-over-the-place library. I really miss that era of music where you just had to grab the essentials. I enjoyed a bit of everything and gathered something from each sound.

I listened to your music, and I feel like you are in rhythm with nature. In other words, your music is inspired by seasons in some way. Is that true, or am I completely off?
Yeah, I think that’s true. I definitely think nature is the root of all art. We’re all trying to be as effortless as nature in a way. Something you can’t really put your thumb on, but makes you feel something deeply. I spend a lot of time in studios and traveling, but definitely like to tap in on a good excursion when I can.

I also feel that in some of your songs, you’re nostalgic for childhood. What was 8-year-old Felly like?
Eight-year-old Felly, it’s unique you pick that age, I think that’s around when I really started to become what I am. My dad had just died of cancer at this time. I had tons of time alone and was looking for something to fill the void and call my own. Music felt like this warm gift that the universe gave to me during that time. And one that has continued to give to me. 8-year-old Felly was running from pain and trying to soothe and figure it all out… how to keep mom happy, how to fight bouts of sadness, how to not end up like all the boring and bleak lives I saw around me. I think that 8-year-old still lives in me somewhere.

Can you tell me what it was like working with Carlos Santana, who is known for being musically organic?
One of the best in-studio days of my life. Carlos talked about Miles Davis for 20 minutes before saying, “Hey, I’m Carlos, I love your song”. He taught me a lot about the spiritual aspect of music and how that’s really what this business is. It’s about connecting hearts and transcending. It was a refreshing take after being in LA for a while and seeing people play with music as a game or as some means of making money or achieving success. I think God or the universe or something brought Carlos into my life to steer me on a different path.

You did some great electric beats early on, which drive the soul of the track. You are a master of instrumental hooks. What steps are in your creative process if you don’t mind me asking?
I do love to start on the production and make sure there’s something to the beat that moves me and makes me want to write or sing. That’s how I began, really, with beats. And then was like … well, this is cool, but it’s unfinished and needs words. That’s when I really got into writing.

I usually like to start with a sound that creates a world and go from there, seeing what the vocal can add. If it doesn’t add something, no need. Sometimes a sound or a melody can evoke more than what words can do. Sometimes it’s the opposite.

By 2022, you switched from hip hop to alternative, and I think that’s a brave change. Of course, your talent doesn’t hinder you to one genre, but the switch seems intentional. What brought you to do it?
I don’t think it was a very conscious choice, and think all my music has had some aspect of alt and hip hop to it. Probably more genres than that, honestly.

I never like to say I’m only rapping or I’m only singing/doing stuff on guitar. I think it’s whatever serves the song. But at some point, rapping on beats just felt too familiar, too easy. I wanted to make myself uncomfortable and see if I could break any boxes I had built for myself.

“Bad Radio” is a great song. It should have been a single. (I heard a little inspiration from the Wallflowers in there, too?). As you grow as an artist, do you hope to relate to people or have them relate to you?
Thank you, I love that song. And an interesting question. I don’t think I really think about if it relates to people. Odds are, if I feel a certain way, someone on this earth has felt that way before. And if it’s a true feeling, you’re usually right about that. Any time I’ve tried to relate to others, I think I lose touch with my own perspective.

“Wildfire” is such a personal song. The melody is soft at the front end, then turns a bit aggressive. It’s a bit jolting. Can you tell me about that song?
This was one of the first songs we made for the new record. I think in a way we just wanted to create a sound that disrupted regulatory and shattered any expectations of what could come. We had to sort of destroy the house before we could rebuild a new one. I think it was a good record to make early on because from [there] we really were free to go anywhere.

When you tour, does it take on a life of its own each time?
Absolutely. I write this in a cafe in Birmingham, Alabama. Just woke up. You enter into a different dimension where you’re on with people and have to sort of surrender yourself to that – and do your best to maintain regularity within yourself. The shows give back so much. They sort of make up for everything else that can be a bit draining – the travel, the bad food, the lack of sleep, etc.

Have you played in Phoenix before? How about the Crescent Ballroom before?
Yes, we’ve done Crescent Ballroom a couple times now. I love that venue so much. And also love the fans from Phoenix. They’ve always gone crazier than we could imagine. I like to joke that it’s because they’re people of the sun – they just have this certain energy to them that’s explosive.

Where is Felly going from here?
Well, finishing up this tour at the moment, then excited to get into making a new record. Have a lot more perspective now, and a lot of ideas floating in my head. I think I’ve learned so much from each album and can approach this next one with full autonomy. I’m as curious where I’ll go as anyone. Thanks for chatting with me.

Felly’s For the Crows Tour is at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.) Oct. 17, at the Crescent Ballroom. Tickets are $16.91 — $32.98.